WELCOME
WORSHIP
GROW
SERVE
THE VINE NEWSLETTER OF BELLAIRE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
BEGINNINGS
MAKING DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE WORLD JULY 2016 VOLUME 52 ISSUE 9
MAKING DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE WORLD
WHERE
DID IT BEGIN FOR YOU?
IN THE BEGINNING WHEN GOD CREATED THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH, THE EARTH WAS A FORMLESS VOID AND DARKNESS COVERED THE FACE OF THE DEEP, WHILE A WIND FROM GOD SWEPT OVER THE FACE OF THE WATERS. THEN GOD SAID, “LET THERE BE LIGHT” GENESIS 1:1-3
The building pictured above is almost certainly one that you have never seen before. It is the structure that formerly housed First United Methodist Church of Hinckley, Illinois. It’s also the place where life with God began for me.
I remember potluck dinners in the church basement. I remember that the children’s Sunday school rooms were upstairs and had big windows that looked down on the sanctuary. I remember the first time that I understood that God’s love didn’t end.
Late in the spring of 1982, I was baptized in this little church. My parents trusted God enough to hand me over to God’s care, and I don’t imagine they had any idea where life would take them, or where that faith they passed on would lead me. That’s sort of how it always is at the beginning. When we begin a new venture, we never really know how it will turn out.
When I was in my twenties, I went back to my childhood church, and the sanctuary that had seemed so cavernous as a boy wasn’t nearly as big as I remembered. I suppose that’s how it ought to be. By then my faith had grown. It was no longer a faith that had been passed to me by my parents; it was a faith that I had claimed for myself. And I still don’t really know just where this faith will lead me, but I will always know where it began.
We lived in Hinckley from the time I was born until just after I turned ten years old. I was young, but I remember quite vividly a few scenes from my early life in this little United Methodist congregation. I remember rehearsing for a Christmas pageant and getting sick on the girl in front of me. It wasn’t my finest moment.
Where did faith begin for you? What do you remember about that place? Where have you been since then? Where might God take you next? In Christ, Pastor Seann
AHEAD IN WORSHIP July 3 Genesis 18:1-15 Abraham & Sarah
July 24 Genesis 25:19-34 Jacob & Esau
July 10 Genesis 22:1-9 Abraham & Isaac
July 31 Genesis 37:1-11 Joseph
July 17 Genesis 24:62-67 Isaac & Rebekah
The Games A new Olympic-themed series begins in August!
SUMMER READING GUIDE Pick one up in the Connec`on Center this week, or visit www.bellaireumc.org for an online version.
SUMMER MOVIE NIGHTS Mondays — 5:30-8:30pm — Parlor Watch a great movie and then discuss the Chris`an themes or theological implica`ons. Led by John Boggs. Here’s the rest of this summer’s lineup: 6/27 7/4 7/11 7/18 7/25 7/31
— God’s Not Dead 2 — July 4th — No Movie — Of Gods & Men — On the Beach — The Perfect Stranger — The Apostle
NEW MEMBERS We are pleased to welcome the Garber family to Bellaire United Methodist Church! From lee to right: E’Lisa, Sarah, Juliefe, Grant, and Scof.
Project Foster Grad was a huge success! The kids danced, celebrated, ate lunch from James Coney Island, got their pictures taken and had a fantas`c `me. As they lee, each one received their gies. The 30 kids that BUMC sponsored got ALL 4 of their requested items, your hand-wrifen gradua`on notes, and a Bible. The gies included: a bike, 5 microwaves, laundry kits, shower caddies filled with much-needed items, towels, bedding sets, lamps, mirrors and more. THANK YOU!!
FOR YOUTH
Make sure you get all the latest informa`on about what’s happening at Bellaire UMC! If you don’t currently receive our weekly email updates, please contact Pastor Seann Duffin at sduffin@bellaireumc.org to be added to the list.
OPPORTUNITIES CCSC — BACK TO SCHOOL Since 1986, CCSC has offered a Back to School program to meet the basic needs of school-aged children. Students who par`cipate in this program lack academic supplies and clothing/uniforms needed to start the year on equal foo`ng with their more advantaged peers. Back To School not only physically prepares children with academic tools, but increases overall self-esteem and mental readiness for learning. In 2015, 6,642 students (Pre-kindergarten through Eighth Grade) were assisted at Back To School. The need for this service is extraordinary, and the 2016 goal is to again equip 6,500 underprivileged children! Each child will receive a complete package of gradeappropriate supplies and a voucher for a new school uniform and/or shoes. Hundreds of volunteers come together to make this program a huge success, and we are always eager for more community members to join us! Here’s how you can help: (1) Sponsor a child for $45. You can make a dona`on in the Connec`on Center on Sunday, July 17 or place your dona`on in the offering plate any`me in June or July. (2) Volunteer at the CCSC Back to School distribu`on event at Faith Lutheran Church on August 5 & 6, or help set up on July 30. Contact Sue Zinni at s_zinni@hotmail.com or (713) 890-2880 for more informaAon.
JULY 4th CELEBRATION Come be a part of this year’s fes`vi`es! Help Bellaire UMC connect with our community at the City of Bellaire 4th of July Parade and Celebra`on. We are looking for individuals or families who would like to (1) (2) (3) (4)
Purchase candy and donate it off at the church office, Walk in the parade, Ride on the float, or Serve lemonade at the celebra`on aeer the parade.
Come to the Connec`on Center on June 26th to learn more, or contact Ellen Bell at johnellenbell@gmail.com or (713) 906-8375.
TO SERVE WORLD METHODIST CONFERENCE In late August, the Texas Annual Conference will host the World Methodist Conference here in Houston. The World Methodist Conference is a worldwide associa`on of 80 Methodist, Wesleyan and related Uni`ng and United Churches represen`ng over 80.5 million people. It engages, empowers and serves the member Churches by encouraging Methodist unity in witness, facilita`ng mission in the world, and fostering ecumenical and inter-religious ac`vi`es. It promotes obedience to the Great Commandment to love God and neighbor and to fulfill the Great Commission to make disciples through vibrant evangelism, a prophe`c voice, coopera`ve programs, faithful worship and mutual learning. There are a number of ways to volunteer with the World Methodist Conference, par[cularly in welcoming or hospitality roles. Volunteers can a_end the conference at no cost, so learn how you can be part of this amazing event at:
www.txcumc.org/worldmethodistconference
WELCOME & WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS Be a part of making Bellaire UMC a great place for everyone on Sunday mornings! Volunteer with our welcome and worship teams to make a real difference. Contact Steve Smith at steve@roveroaks.com to become part of the Welcome Team. Each Sunday morning, members of the Welcome Team greet members and visitors alike at each of our main entry points. Just a smiling face and a friendly hello can influence a person’s experience here on a Sunday morning. Contact Pastor Seann at sduffin@bellaireumc.org to get involved in our worship services. We con`nually need people to serve as readers or communion stewards. There is also opportunity to be trained as an audio/visual volunteer. We can always use your help!
N E W S FROM ANNUAL
CONFERENCE
In Community Steve Smith, Lay Leader At each annual conference, we par`cipate in inspiring worship led by amazing clergy and musicians. We learn from keynote speakers who have made an impact on our world and encourage us to do likewise. We watch a number of touching videos that feature re`ring pastors sharing memories of their service to God, the United Methodist Church and their communi`es. We observe the excitement of a large number of seminary students being ordained into the ministry. And, yes, we have a lot of reports and discussion regarding the business administra`on and policy side of the church. By far, the most important takeaway for me this year was an underlying message that characterized several churches who are having a real missional impact on specific communi`es, regardless of whether those communi`es are within a few miles of their church or half way around the globe. That underlying message was the importance of “rela`onship.” Speaker aeer speaker communicated how cri`cal it is to first develop a rela`onship with people in the community you want to reach. Move outside the church walls; get to know the people in the community; let them get to know you; and begin understanding each other. Then, both of you can figure out together how the church can help. Sounds simple, right? But how oeen do we want to go in and “do something” to help a community of people in need when maybe we don’t even understand what they really need? Are their needs physical? Spiritual? Both? How will we know if we don’t have a real rela`onship with them? As Bellaire UMC moves forward, let’s learn how to do more than just exist in this community. As one speaker said, let’s learn how to be “in community” with our community!
NEWS
FROM THE BUMS Interested in joining up with the Bellaire United Methodist Seniors (BUMS)? Contact Tom & Sandra Williams at tandswms@af.net or (713) 703-1153. Here are some upcoming events: Saturday, August 6, 2016: Make your reserva`ons for the next annual melodrama, “Klondike Kalamity,” performed by the Cast Theatrical Company in Rosenberg. We have 30 Ackets reserved and had to work at geung those before they sold out. This is a very popular event in the Rosenberg community. We had lots of fun at “Riding the Rails” last August, being up close and personal, throwing popcorn at the villain, etc. This is a new show this coming August. The price of a `cket is only $16. Your payment guarantees your reserva0on. We can’t order any more `ckets. Think about geung your `cket as soon as possible. On the way to Rosenberg, we will have supper, on your own, at the Live Oak Grill in Sugar Land. The bus will leave the church at 5:30 PM. This is an evening loaded with fun, laughter, and wonderful fellowship. Don’t miss it. Saturday, September 17, 2016: We are going to take you out to the ball game at Constella`on Field in Sugar Land to watch the Sugar Land Skeeters play the South Maryland Blue Crabs. Game `me is 6:05, so we will leave the church at 5:00 PM to allow for traffic. We have seats under cover, on the top two rows between home plate and third base (like last year). We will have to walk maybe 60 feet on a flat concrete surface to get to our seats once we get off the bus. Super convenient! You may eat at the ball park (on your own) or eat before you come. The game `ckets are $15 each. Bible Trivia Answer: Micah and Isaiah warned Israel that Assyria would be an instrument of God’s displeasure against them. Texas Trivia Answer: Olympic champion Carl Lewis was on the track team of our own University of Houston. Bible Trivia: Who came first, Amos or Zephaniah and how many years apart were they? Texas Trivia: What did David CrockeU name his trusty rifle? Sage Advice: It’s not hard to meet expenses…they’re everywhere.
VAC AT I O N BIBLE SCHOOL
Here are just a few scenes from this year’s Vaca`on Bible School where students went on a Cave Quest and learned that Jesus gives us hope, direc`on, courage, love, and power—all of which help us to follow him. Thank you to everyone who helped make it a great week!
Financial Update Income through May 31: Expenses through May 31: Difference:
$495,893.21 $497,934.85 — $ 2,041.64
Bellaire UMC is current on our missional giving, including appor`onments.
Have you considered giving online? You can make a one-Zme gi[ or set up recurring donaZons. Learn more at www.bellaireumc.org/give.
4417 Bellaire Blvd, Bellaire, Texas 77401 www.bellaireumc.org 713-666-2167 Bellaire United Methodist Church
THE BELLAIRE UNITED METHODIST NEWSLETTER USPS 048-820 is published semi-monthly by Bellaire United Methodist Church. Periodical postage paid at Bellaire, Texas. POSTMASTER: Send address change to, The Bellaire United Methodist Newsletter, 4417 Bellaire Blvd., Bellaire, TX 77401, 713-666-2167; FAX 713-663-6397. Second Class Postage Paid at Bellaire, TX 77401